Deceased Person is Survived by a Spouse and/or Descendants

Here is what will happen if the deceased person is survived by a spouse and/or descendants (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.):

Survived by a spouse and descendants - In this case, the surviving spouse will receive a life estate in the deceased person's probate real estate and will inherit one-half (1/2) of the deceased person's remaining probate estate. The deceased person's descendants will inherit the remaining ​probate estate, ​per stirpes.

Survived by a spouse and no descendants - In this case, the surviving spouse may inherit up to $75,000 worth of the deceased person's probate real estate and will receive a life estate in the remaining probate real estate. The balance will be distributed equally to the deceased person's parents if both are living, or all to the surviving parent, otherwise to the deceased person's siblings, per stirpes.

Survived by descendants and no spouse - In this case, the deceased person's descendants will inherit 100% of the probate estate, per stirpes.

Deceased Person is Not Survived by Any Family Members

If the deceased person is not survived by any family members, then the entire probate estate will escheat to the State of Rhode Island.

What Will You Inherit From a Rhode Island Intestate Estate?

What will you inherit if your relative dies without leaving a Last Will and Testament and the relative was a resident of Rhode Island or owned real estate located in Rhode Island? Even if you determine based on the information above that you are entitled to an intestate share of your relative's estate, you may not inherit anything. Why? Because your relative may have left all non-probate property or the debts your relative owed at the time of death may exceed the value of the probate estate which will make the estate insolvent.

Will You Have to Pay Taxes on Your Rhode Island Inheritance?

Rhode Island is one of a handful of U.S. states that still collect an estate tax and these laws have changed over the past few years. Aside from this, your inheritance may be subject to an estate tax at the federal level. You may also owe income taxes (state and/or federal) on certain types of assets you inherit. Refer to the following articles to determine if you will owe any taxes on your Rhode Island inheritance:

The information contained in this article is not tax or legal advice and is not a substitute for such advice.State and federal laws change frequently, and the information in this article may not reflect your own state’s laws or the most recent changes to the law. For current tax or legal advice, please consult with an accountant or an attorney.